The Sierra Leone Reporters’ Union (SLRU), a subsidiary body of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), has engaged the management of the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA) to foster stronger bilateral ties and explore avenues for strategic partnership. The engagement took place at the NPRA Tower Hill Office, located at the British Council Building.
Welcoming the SLRU delegation, the Director-General of NPRA commended the Union for the timely visit and for recognizing the Authority’s tremendous contributions to the petroleum sector over the past six years. He described the petroleum industry as one of the most complex and unpredictable sectors globally. He further noted that, although government sometimes subsidizes the price of petroleum products to cushion economic hardship, such measures are temporary, and citizens often misunderstand the structure and limitations of the industry.
“When the market is stable, as it is now, the Authority works tirelessly with key stakeholders to identify bottlenecks and address them for the benefit of consumers. One of our primary mandates under the new Act is ensuring the availability of petroleum products in Sierra Leone. Since the country is not yet producing its own oil, product pricing is beyond government control, but the government remains responsible for ensuring consistent supply and fair, transparent pricing nationwide,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of public awareness, explaining that the Authority frequently engages media professionals and civil society organizations to educate citizens on operational mandates and ongoing reforms. He added that although global market prices should be higher, government intervention guided by directives from His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has opened the sector to new players, restored fairness, and boosted competitive confidence.
The Director-General informed SLRU that the Authority holds quarterly engagements with journalists, media institutions, and CSOs to share updates on industry developments. He announced that NPRA will host another engagement in December to outline its plans for the 2026 fiscal year and highlight the Authority’s progress. He also assured citizens that there will be no fuel shortage this December, unlike the 2024 festive season.
SLRU President Yeanor Kabbia expressed appreciation to the NPRA leadership for the warm reception. She praised DG Baluwa Koroma’s leadership, noting that his vision and accomplishments have made the Authority one of the most effective institutions under the current administration.
Kabbia also highlighted that SLRU, which has existed for over two decades and boasts more than six hundred members nationwide, will hold its maiden Annual General Meeting (AGM) this weekend in Makeni. The AGM will focus on membership growth, the adoption of a revised constitution, and improved advocacy for reporters who receive little or no compensation despite their critical role in sustaining Sierra Leone’s democratic landscape.
SLRU Vice-President Zainab S. Koroma called for deeper strategic collaboration between the Union and the Authority, emphasizing the need to amplify ongoing reforms and ensure that information on NPRA’s work reaches communities across Sierra Leone.